Chapter 213: Ch 212: Everyone is here

Selene was being overly polite to the point where it did not even seem like her.

Kael recalled her being a bold and confident woman capable of cursing anyone if it served her purpose. Seeing her this submissive to someone was not on his list.

But as surprising as it was, it was equally unsettling. The aura around Selene made it hard for Kael to see her in a good light. And he was not the only one who felt unsettled.

"This lying bitch! Hey, let me go, Elena. I am going to melt her lying face off for saying such random bullshit and-"

Lyra was ready to attack, but she was thankfully stopped by the others before she could make a mistake. Once she was subdued, the others turned to look at Selene with startled expressions.

Leon looked especially curious and uncertain as he stepped forward.

"Miss High Elf, are you ready to stake your life on what you are saying? As the Hero, I will give you one chance to take your claim back."

Leon pressed forward and asked this question, but Selene nodded with certainty.

"Yes! On the name of the high elves, I promise you—Kael Mikailias is currently suffering from corruption, and he will continue to suffer if you do not do something quickly."

Her words sounded so convincing that even Kael started to feel doubtful. But Leon was not the same as him.

The Hero let out a sigh before he looked at Selene’s face and raised his sword. It shone with holy magic, and he brought it down on her.

"I am afraid that I cannot allow you to lie about this anymore. Now, my holy power will take care of you."

He declared and brought his sword down. For a moment, it actually looked like Selene was willing to accept his judgment head-on.

But at the last second, she moved and drew her own sword to intercept the incoming attack.

"What a letdown. I was sure I had won you over. What gave me away?"

She asked with a pout as her corrupted powers enhanced her strength. She managed to push Leon back as she stood up.

Everyone tensed as they saw her expression change from scared to calm and then to twisted delight. Corruption had already consumed half of her soul, and the other half was actively being devoured.

And yet, there was no sign of pain on her face, only delight at the fact that she could use her power.

"Tsk, I never believed your words in the first place. Besides, you were not even acting like yourself, so it was easy to figure out you were an imposter. Selene Asterveil, wanting to talk and negotiate? Yeah, something was definitely wrong."

Leon pointed out, and Selene giggled in her disgusting way.

"Oh my! I had no idea that the esteemed Hero of humanity knew me so well. Please stop, or you will make me blush."

Selene told him while waving her hands. Her corrupted powers immediately formed a twister that she sent his way.

But it was blocked by Iris, who cleared a path for him to get closer to the corrupted soul.

"Hey, this is unfair. It is one against many. At least fight on equal footing if you are going to come at me."

Selene sighed before she twisted the ground, separating everyone. Meanwhile, she remained with Kael and even shook her head as she looked at him.

"This is not fair! Don’t you agree as well, my dear Grand Master? But then again, it is not as unexpected as I thought it would be. Or...would it be better to say that I saw it coming?"

Kael paused as he looked at Selene’s face. He had a feeling he needed to know more about what she was saying.

Thankfully, she decided not to hold back when she spoke.

"You knew that high elves have special powers, right? Even my strong sense of self cannot take that away. But I did catch a glimpse of the future Selene saw. Do you know what was in it? Care to take a guess?"

Selene asked, but Kael could tell she was not looking for an answer. She was going to tell him when she felt like it.

And that was exactly what Selene did. She pulled back with a giggle and decided to speak her mind.

"It was a beautiful and chaotic future filled with destruction. The elves were hardly worth mentioning because they had long since perished from the face of this earth. I saw their cities burning as they were purified by holy fire."

That sounded painful, and Kael knew that this future was a possibility...or rather, it would become a reality once the truth about the elves and corruption came out.

People were rightfully sensitive about corruption, and for good reason. It spread simply by existing, and by the time you noticed it, it was already too late.

"The temple’s doctrine will dictate that all elves be eradicated. From elders to children, not a single one would be spared, and then our elf tree would burn as well to purify it. But if only that were the end."

Selene paused, no longer speaking. But she did not need to for Kael to realize what would happen.

Once the temple and those in power finished with the elves, they would seize the opportunity to expand their authority even further. And they would go after innocent people, wanting to keep them under their control.

This situation would keep spiraling out of control until there was no way to stop it anymore. And by the time anyone noticed, it would already be too late.

"So, I will ask you again—choose your side, Kael. Would you rather see the world burn and collapse, or would you rather be devoured by me and give us all a chance to live?"

The corruption wearing Selene’s face made its offer, but there was no decision to be made here. Both options were terrible, so Kael was going to create a third one.

"Sorry, but I decline your offer. I have my own way of doing things, and that does not involve your interference."